Looking after your mental wellbeing

It is normal to feel anxious or stressed in times of difficulty. Learn how to stay mentally healthy and where to get help if you are not coping or have concerns for others.

Impact of COVID-19

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on how we interact with others, go about our lives, our work, study and many other aspects of our lives. We know stress and uncertainty can have a significant impact on the mental wellbeing of people in New Zealand.

It is normal to not feel all right all the time — it is understandable to feel sad, distressed, worried, confused, anxious or angry during this time. Everyone reacts differently to difficult events, and some may find this time more challenging than others.

Everyone's emotional and mental wellbeing is important. Here you can find information on tools to support your own and others’ mental wellbeing and where to get help if you need it.

All Sorts

COVID-19 keeps throwing new challenges our way. Find support, tips and advice to help you look after your mental health on the All Sorts website.

Get through COVID-19

The Mental Health Foundation has information about how to get through COVID-19. It includes wellbeing tips, helpful resources, and self-help tools and apps.

Small Steps

Small Steps are digital tools to help you maintain wellness, find relief, or get help for yourself, friends or whānau.

Groov support app

The Groov app helps you monitor, manage and improve your mental wellbeing. You can pick your own daily goals and track your progress.

Headstrong support app

Designed for and with Aotearoa's young people, Headstrong includes the Aroha chatbot ⁠— your virtual wellbeing guide.

When you have COVID-19

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, the Mental Health Foundation has information on coping with mixed emotions and wellbeing tips for home isolation.

Where to find help

Do not be afraid to seek support. There are helpline services available right now that offer support, information and help for you, your family, whānau and friends.

For support with anxiety, distress or mental wellbeing, you can call or text 1737 to talk with a trained counsellor for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Mental Health Foundation has a full list of services available.

Helplines and support (external link)

Te Whare Tapa Whā

Developed by Dr Mason Durie, Te Whare Tapa Whā speaks to the 4 cornerstones of Māori health and wellbeing. When there is an imbalance or 1 of the cornerstones is missing, we may feel unwell or out of sorts. We can use this model to help look after ourselves and those in our whānau.

This model reminds us to take care of all aspects of our lives to support our wellbeing.

The 4 cornerstones are:

  • taha tinana | physical wellbeing
  • taha hinengaro | mental wellbeing
  • taha wairua | spiritual wellbeing
  • taha whānau | family wellbeing.

Te Whare Tapa Whā | Mental Health Foundation (external link)

Staying safe online

During the COVID-19 pandemic many people are spending more time online. While the internet helps you connect with family members, friends and colleagues, there are also risks. Knowing how to stay safe online can help protect you and your whānau.

Staying safe online

Netsafe has information and resources to stay safe online. You can also report online incidents or harmful content such as misinformation or scams.

Misinformation, scams and online harm

Misinformation, scams and online harm about COVID-19 and vaccines work against us at a time when we need to work together to beat the spread of the virus.

How to report online abuse

If anyone in your whānau receives inappropriate contact online, you can make a non-emergency report to the police or call 111 for emergencies.

Report illegal content

If you find any illegal content online, you can make a complaint to the Department of Internal Affairs.

Last updated: at